Left In Lowell

The Congressional race belongs to the people

by Mimi at 4:15 pm.

I find it irritating when the media is not satisfied with just reporting the news but wants to create it. I think that is the case with our local newspaper and the coverage these past few days of Lowell City Councilor Eileen Donoghue’s candidacy for the MA 5th Congressional seat.

At the outset for those of you who many not know, I am a supporter of Councilwoman Donoghue’s candidacy. Others who are prominent on this blog support other candidates. So throughout the coming months we will have an interesting debate.

Lynne has already posted on the bashing that Lowell City Councilor Eileen Donoghue has taken in the pages (web and hard copy) of the Sun for becoming an “unenrolled” voter (no designated party affiliation) for a period of time. First there was the “breaking news” article (now gone from their web site); then there was the piece by Matt Murphy in Monday’s edition; then there was the blog by editor Jim Campanini yesterday and then there is today’s piece also authored by Murphy.

They really got the “story” covered, don’t they? I am not complaining that they wrote about this issue, really I am not. However, I am complaining about the overkill. I find it amusing that a publication that has historically supported Republican candidates has given itself the authority to question someone’s loyalty to the Democratic party?

In addition to the negative piece on Councilor Donoghue, the Sun ran another MA-05 affiliated-story today. This one appeared on their Editorial/Op-Ed/Opinion page and it was written by another candidate for that same MA 5th Congressional District seat. I do not begrudge Candidate Jim DiPaola for submitting an opinion piece; after all he is running for office in a congested and competitive field. But I do question the Sun’s publication of that self-serving commentary on the same day that they publish an unfavorable article about one of his opponent.

By the way, someone needs to remind Candidate DiPaola that Deval Patrick is not running for the MA 5th District Congressional Seat. Why attack the governor on his decision to change the status of the Veterans Affair office? There is nothing to show that has translated into diminish service or lack of concern for our veterans. The op-ed piece just reinforces the paper’s editorial position of criticizing everything and anything the Governor does.

And while we are discussing unfair coverage, why has not the Sun reported on Jamie Eldridge’s $100,000 successful fundraising effort. The paper gave the Tsongas camp’s press release full coverage with the announcement that they had raised $140,000 in two weeks. (And there was the article of an in-house Tsongas poll result.) I think Jamie’s $100,000 far outweighs Niki’s $140,000. The Eldridge money story is impressive; the Tsongas one is expected.

This campaign belongs to the people not the media. We will decide what the issues are; they will not decide for us. They can report it, evaluate it, analyze it but they cannot control it.

[Filed under Media, MA-05] [link]

9 Responses to “The Congressional race belongs to the people”

Notokay Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Eileen’s my choioce.
Lynne Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
The real question is, with Eldridge making a strong showing so early money-wise, why wasn’t his press release regurgitated nearly verbatim a day after its release like the Tsongas one? I don’t begrudge Tsongas her coverage - her media people were smart - but the Sun claimed its coverage of the MA-05 race would be second to none. So far, I’m just not seeing that.

I sorta wish Chris Scott were doing the writing of the Congressional race pieces.
Mike Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Eileen needs to play catchup quick, in fundraising and in a web presence. Can’t find one for her, but already found one for Niki that has her interview with Lynn on the front page.

http://nikitsongas.com/
jack Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
eileens my choice as well, and usually i appreciate the in depth coverage of issues by the Sun, BUT come on this is not an issue, no substance, its clear Campanini has a grudge.

Lets talk about the real issues, Iraq, imigration, healthcare,affordable housing, education,healthcare… wake up Sun.
Lynne Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Tsongas’ site was actually the first, though it hasn’t changed since the day it went up, and has been surpassed by Eldgridge’s site in my opinion, ie way more content, and that content is rich and useful. (And Jamie also has a link to the radio interview I did with him as well.)

I’m putting the site links in the sidebar as I find them. So far, only three. I suspect that will change rapidly soon. Though you can definitely tell the people who “get it” or who have staffers who “get it” - that this is the new age of politics and your website is integral to that.
Lynne Says:
March 28th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
jack: good luck. Might as well tell the wind not to blow!
Jay Booth Says:
March 29th, 2007 at 10:15 am
That’s a pretty stupid article by DiPaola. All politics and no policy - a bunch of blather about “the veterans” without any actual proposals to do things for them? He didn’t have a single reason that that cabinet level position should exist that didn’t rely on raw emotional appeal. That’s not the kind of congressman I want. And I’m certainly pro-veteran.

On the other hand, it’s hard to blame the Sun for printing it - it’s free column inches and a guaranteed read by everyone, I mean, we all read it. Good move by him for writing a lowest-common-denominator screed where he associates “DiPaola” with “supporting our veterans.. through newspaper columns”.

I’m mystified, however, as to why the Sun wouldn’t print Eldridge’s surprisingly high fundraising number, unless it’s just a Lowell blind spot effect.
JANE Says:
March 29th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Just another example why this should be a two paper town
Mimi Says:
March 29th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Today’s Sun is carrying a column Campaign Notebook ‘07. Here is the link: http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_5548173

It is a compilation of the various campaign’s press releases: how much money they raised; web site info; endorsements; staff.

I hope it becomes a regular feature.

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March 28, 2007

The Congressional race belongs to the people

9 Responses to “The Congressional race belongs to the people”

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